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Immunizations, Physical Exams and Health Screenings

Immunization Requirements

Massachusetts state law requires all public school students to be vaccinated against certain diseases. In order to attend school, students must provide documentation showing they have received all required immunizations.

Immunization Requirements for School Entry (updated 2.12.26 PDF) resource outlines the required vaccines for preschool & grades K-8.  The School Immunization Requirements document is also available in Spanish (Requisitos de vacunación para la entrada escolar (PDF) l (DOC) (Spanish version)

Massachusetts law allows medical and religious exemptions from immunization requirements under specified circumstances. Medical and religious exemptions must be submitted to the Health Office in accordance with Massachusetts requirements. Medical exemptions must be renewed annually, and religious exemptions should be renewed annually at the beginning of the school year. Families with questions regarding immunization requirements or exemptions should contact the school nurse.

Religious/Medical Exemption Form (must be completed yearly)

Vaccine

Preschool

Grades K–6

Grades 7–12

Hib

1–4 doses, depending on vaccine product and age when the series began

1–4 doses, depending on vaccine product and age when the series began

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DTaP

4 doses

4 doses

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Tdap

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—

1 dose + history of DTaP primary series or age-appropriate catch-up vaccination. Tdap given at ≥7 years may count. If given earlier for catch-up, a dose at age 11–12 is recommended. Td or Tdap should be given if ≥10 years since the last Tdap.

Polio

3 doses

3 doses

4 doses; 4th dose must be on/after age 4 and ≥6 months after previous dose. 3 doses are acceptable if the 3rd was given on/after age 4 and ≥6 months after the previous dose.

Hepatitis B

3 doses; laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable

3 doses; laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable

3 doses; laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable. 2-dose Heplisav-B series is acceptable when given at ≥18 years.

MMR

1 dose; must be given on/after the 1st birthday. Laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable

1 dose; must be given on/after the 1st birthday. Laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable

2 doses; first dose on/after the 1st birthday and second dose ≥28 days later. Laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable.

Varicella (Chickenpox)

1 dose; must be given on/after the 1st birthday. Reliable history of chickenpox or laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable

1 dose; must be given on/after the 1st birthday. Reliable history of chickenpox or laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable

2 doses; first dose on/after the 1st birthday and second dose ≥28 days later. Reliable history of chickenpox or laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable.

Meningococcal

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Grades 7–10: 1 dose on/after the 10th birthday. Grades 11–12: 2 doses; second dose must be on/after the 16th birthday and ≥8 weeks after the previous dose. 1 dose is acceptable if given on/after the 16th birthday. MenACWY and MenABCWY meet the requirement; MenB does not.

 

Physicals

Physicals: In accordance with Massachusetts laws and regulations (M.G.L. c 71, s 57 and 105 CMR 200.000), students in public schools are required to have a physical examination by a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant within one year prior to entering school or within 30 days after school entry, and at intervals of every three or four years thereafter. Carlisle Public Schools requests documentation of physical examinations at the following grade levels: Preschool/Kindergarten, Grade 4, and Grade 7. Students transferring from another school system are also required to provide documentation of a current physical examination in accordance with Massachusetts requirements. We encourage families to provide the Health Office with a copy of their child's physical examination whenever one is completed or updated.

Sports Physicals: A comprehensive physical examination is required to participate in intramural or interscholastic school athletics.  Students participating in school athletics must have a current physical examination on file in the Health Office. The physical examination must be dated within 13 months of participation, in accordance with MIAA requirements. Documentation must be submitted to the school nurse before participation in tryouts or athletic activities.

Health Screenings

In accordance with Massachusetts requirements, students participate in required school health screenings at designated grade levels. These screenings include vision, hearing, height and weight/BMI, postural screening, and SBIRT. The school nurse will provide families with information about screenings as appropriate. Please reach out to your student's school nurse with any questions or concerns.

More information can be found on the Massachusetts Department of Public Health School Health Services website.

Health Screenings by Grade

Vision: Grades K-5, grade 7

Hearing: Grades K-3, grade 7

BMI (height & weight): Grades 1, 4, 7

Postural: Grades 5-8

SBIRT: Grade 8